the dinner includes republicans like kelly ayotte, senator lindsey graham and john mccain as well as nine other republicans. president obama asked graham of south carolina to organize the dinner, which is occurring at the jefferson hotel blocks from here. graham told us he chose republicans open to negotiating a so-called grand bargain with the president that would include tax reform and cuts to medicare and social security. now, senior advisors tell us scott, that the president knows he's in a political vice. he needs republican help to alleviate the across-the-board spending cuts known as sequestration but he can't get that help unless he negotiates a bigger deficit-cutting deal. tonight's dinner, scott, may be a step in that direction. >> pelley: may be a thaw on a cold night. thank you. nancy cordes is on capitol hill for us. what do the senate republicans think of the invitation, nancy? >> reporter: scott, they were tkpwreurbs today saying they were honored to be invited but they pointed out in previous presidencies this would not be big news because it would be a more common oc